Screening Methods for the Evaluation of Diuretics

Abstract

Diuretics are drugs that promote increase production of urine by augmenting the excretion of sodium and water. Although they are used in a wide range of diseases like essential hypertension, congestive cardiac failure, renal failure, ascites etc.; they are associated with adverse drug reactions especially due to fluid and electrolyte disturbances. Thus, there is a need for development of newer drugs with diuretic activity and less adverse effects. Various in vitro and in vivo screening methods have been used for evaluating the diuretic activity of drugs. The various in vitro techniques include carbonic anhydrase inhibition in vitro, patch clamp technique in kidney cells, perfusion of isolated kidney tubules and isolated perfused kidney technique. The various in vivo techniques include Lipschitz test, saluretic activity in rats, micropuncture techniques in the rat, diuretic and saluretic activity in dogs, clearance methods and stop-flow technique. Each of these techniques has been discussed in detail in this chapter.